Species of Capital in the Political Elite: Who Rules in Chile? [Paperback]

Although sociological research has examined the reproduction of Chiles elites, there is little empirical evidence as to how different forms of capital operate within them. Based on a survey of the countrys elites, this study examines the effect of different forms of capital (cultural, social and political) on access to strategic positions in the legislative and executive branches of government. It focuses on the political elite between 1990, when military dictator Augusto Pinochet handed over the presidency to Patricio Aylwin, his democratically elected successor, and 2010, the end of President Michelle Bachelets first government. At least three points are germane to this analysis: (1) understanding the nature of the party elites during the political transition; (2) describing and explaining the main aspects of the party elites background and social resources, including their family networks (independent variables); and (3) exploring the effect of those variables on individuals chances of achieving strategic positions in the political field, comparing the legislative and executive branches as represented by deputies and ministers (dependent variable).

Introduction.- Chapter 1: The study of political elites: Theoretical framework.- Chapter 2. Political elites and social, political and economic transformations in Latin America.- Chapter 3. End of the authoritarian regime and rearticulation of the political elites in Chile.- Chapter 4. Two new coalitions in post-authoritarian Chile: the Concertaci?n and the Alianza.- Chapter 5: Political performance of the party elites after Pinochet: 1990-2010.-Chapter 6: Research methodology.- Chapter 7: The importance of family ties in the Chilean political elite.- Chapter 8. Measuring and comparing species of capital in the Chilean political elite, 1990-2010.